Structures

‘Molecules’ iPhone App Source Code Available:
[Via MacResearch - Online Community and Resource for Mac OS X in Science]

With the lifting of the iPhone NDA, Brad Larson — developer of the iPhone app ‘Molecules’, a 3D molecular viewer — has been able to release the application source code. He also has a detailed description of how it works on his blog. Brad previously blogged about his use of OpenGL ES, which was not covered by the NDA, but is now able to discuss the app in it’s entirety. For anyone considering developing 3D scientific apps on the iPhone, it’s a must read.

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This could be very useful since I look at protein molecules all the time. I wonder if I will need my glasses.

Technorati Tags: Science, Web 2.0

Learn

The story of DNA unfolds on iTunes U:
[Via Apple Hot News]

Evolution — one of a variety of programs on iTunes U created as part of the Cassiopeia Project — tells the fascinating story of DNA and the role it has played in the 3.5-billion-year evolution of life on earth. Other Cassiopeia Projects explore Quantum Mechanics, the Big Bang Theory, Relativity and other topics in an effort to make “high-definition science education videos available to anyone who wants them.”

Podcasts are really becoming so useful.

Technorati Tags: Education, Web 2.0

Excellent explanation of dramatis personae

by woodleywonderworks
Fannie Mae and the Financial Crisis:
[Via The Big Picture]

The Sunday New York Times has a very interesting article on Fannie Mae and the current financial crisis. They do a decent job at delving into the complexities of the GSEs, and the many factors that went into the decision making at the senior level of the company. This includes pressure from clients such as Coutrywide CEO Angelo Mozilla, pressure from Congress, and the demands from investors for the company to be more aggressive. Most of all, it looks at the ongoing competitive demands of the market place that Fanny was in.
The key to understanding the GSE story is grasping their role within the bigger picture of the economy and housing sector. While there are some pundits who prefer talking points over reality (Charlies Gasparino, Lawrence Kudlow, James Pethoukoukis, all toed the GOP line) I prefer to keep all of my analyses based on the data and facts. Rather than creating historical revisions for partisan reasons, it I mean to keep it reality based. (Hey, I am an political independent, and that’s how I roll).
The current housing and credit crises has many, many underlying sources. In my opinion there were two primary proximate causes that led to the boom and bust in Housing: A nonfeasant Fed, that ignored lending standards, and ultra-low rates.
[More]

My favorite economic blog. And it does a really great job of putting things in perspective. Blaming freddie and Fannie misses the forest for the trees. They were really no worse than any of the other bandits. No regulation, no oversight and free money. Read the whole story.

Technorati Tags: General

Could be worse

by Daveness_98
Iceland’s Collapse:
[Via Kevin Drum - Mother Jones]

ICELAND’S COLLAPES….You think there’s a banking crisis in the United States? Just be glad you don’t live in Scandinavia’s smallest country:

Iceland is on the brink of collapse. Inflation and interest rates are raging upwards. The krona, Iceland’s currency, is in freefall and is rated just above those of Zimbabwe and Turkmenistan. One of the country’s three independent banks has been nationalised, another is asking customers for money, and the discredited government and officials from the central bank have been huddled behind closed doors for three days with still no sign of a plan.

….On Friday the queues at the banks were huge, as people moved savings into the most secure accounts. Yesterday people were buying up supplies of olive oil and pasta after a supermarket spokesman announced on Friday night that they had no means of paying the foreign currency advances needed to import more foodstuffs.

I have to say, though, that the citizens of Iceland seem to be taking their travails remarkably cheerfully. “We will have to eat haddock and Icelandic lamb and forget these imports of goose livers and Japanese soy sauce,” says Iceland’s most famous chef. And drink more liquor. Lots more liquor.

Islands have a tough time since they have to import food. Even tougher for Iceland. At least most of us in America can try to grow Victory gardens to get by.

Technorati Tags: Economy, Environment

Expect to see more of this

by Tony the Misfit

What passes for humor in Virginia. From the representative to the McCain leadership team in Buchanan County and Republican Party treasurer in the county. A GOP operative brings up just about every racial and cultural stereotype in a single article. With people like him running things, we will never solve much of anything. I hope the people of Virginia elect adults this time around.

I expect this to make a fresh appearance. Maybe even these. I believe that this is only the beginning of a very bad month of campaigning.

Any politician who tries to rule by fear of the ‘other’ should be voted out of office. Anyone who can only lead by fear is not a useful leader. Roosevelt had it right and we just do not have the time for this sort of infantile political thought. We have serious problems to solve and need adults running things, not children. This is a problem both parties need to solve and do it quickly.

Technorati Tags: General, Politics

Took a little break

I’ve been working hard a lot recently and did not have much time to post last week. i hope to get back into the swing this week.

Technorati Tags: General